Gear Review: Katabatic Gear Tincup Down Jacket
All in all, so far I really love the Tincup Down Jacket and think it'll be a staple in my cold weather layering system. I truly love the relaxed fit and internal drop-in pockets.
Based in Salida, Colorado, Katabatic Gear is a great little company creating high quality ultralight gear for hiking and backpacking. This shoulder season I was able to try out their updated Tincup Down Jacket, which features a more relaxed fit than the previous iteration. The updated design also added internal drop-in pockets and an improved shell fabric.
The Tincup Down Jacket is a powerhouse puffy when it comes to ultralight warmth, which I am so into. I live in a very cold climate and the freezing temperatures don't keep me inside! So my ears really perk up when I hear about super-warm ultralight jackets. I don't love feeling bulky and overwhelmed by a pillow of fabric when I'm trying to stay warm, so when a jacket can keep me toasty while allowing me full range of motion, it's a beautiful thing. The Tincup Down jacket is that beautiful thing.
Quick Rundown of the Katabatic Gear Tincup Down Jacket
- Available in women's and men's fit
- RDS Certified 850+ fill power ExpeDRY down
- Weight: 11.7 ounces for a women's medium
- 5.0 ounce fill weight in a women's medium
- Pertex Quantum fabrics; shell made from recycled yarns. DWR finish
- Adjustable, drop tail hem; extra length in back to ensure coverage
- Zippered hand warmer pockets. Internal drop-in pockets
- Internal box wall construction on top of hood and shoulders, with no external stitch lines: increases water resistance, heat retention, and durability
- Thoughtfully designed and built to be ultralight, yet durable so it will stay out of the landfill longer
- Nice relaxed fit that still looks stylish
My Experience with the Katabatic Gear Tincup Down Jacket
I started wearing my Katabatic Gear Tincup Ultralight Down Jacket pretty much as the San Juan River began to get super icy. This river is full of hot springs, so when the ice starts forming, you know it's downright frigid out.
The Tincup Jacket layers well over my beloved thermal long sleeve shirt, and it's spacious enough that I can keep my wallet and keys stashed in the internal drop-in pockets, while keeping my hands warm in the zipper pockets. This is a great set up for meandering the river and having a casual time. I also plan to wear this jacket on a backpacking trip over the winter, up in subalpine terrain. Where things get a lot more extreme.
I have confidence this jacket will be a perfect piece for winter backpacking due to its Pertex Quantum Eco Ripstop outer shell. It helps to reduce heat loss from wind and is quite warm in and of itself. Because of the generous cut of the Tincup Jacket, I am free to increase the layers I have on under it. Yet it is still thin enough to toss hardshells on top of. It's a realy Goldilocks down jacket for winter backpacking in the mountains.
A feature I like with the fit of the Tincup Jacket is the drop tail hem. This ensures your hips and low back stay warm when you're bending down or crouching low. There is also a cinch on the hips, so you can trap heat from your mid section if it's brutal cold out. The hood also cinches down and is spacious enough to wear a thick beanie or even a climbing helmet underneath.
For my fellow wildlife photographers and forest creepers, you'll be happy to know that this is a quiet down jacket. It doesn't make rustling or crinkle sounds, as the shell is soft and woven.
All in all, so far I really love the Tincup Down Jacket and think it'll be a staple in my cold weather layering system. I truly love the relaxed fit and internal drop-in pockets. I also really love the color, which is called Grand Red.
If you're on the hunt for an ultralight down jacket that is warmer than most and super durable, the Tincup Down Jacket is a worthwhile purchase this winter!
The Tincup Down Jacket made the cut and is featured in our Best Down Jackets For Hiking of 2024 guide! Keep scrolling past our picks to see what makes a down jacket awesome, and how to choose which one is right for you!
My review is independent of the supplier and reflects my own opinions. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at no additional cost to you.
